Usually it’s Summers that people associate most with festivals. Well, Brighton has got two events back-to-back that turn this on its head. Spring is on its way and with it are the Brighton Festival and The Great Escape, Brighton’s festivals by the sea.

The Brighton Festival gets underway in May, with the first of hundreds of performances by top name entertainers. And there’s its bastard brother, the Fringe Festival. Roommates but not bedfellows, the two festivals help contrast the famous with the freaky.

The Fringe is no less colourful, actually it’s set to be properly odd: on one night you’ve the Netherlands National Theatre, on another you’ll get a look at the world’s best portable crazy golf course. There’s the Rotten Wedding – an interactive wedding reception, and projects running cross the city by the Youth Arts Festival.

Brighton's music festival by the sea

With this under your belt – trust us, you couldn’t possibly see everything, even if you did take a holiday in Brighton for the entire month – your best bet is to stay in festival mode all the way through May. Because before you know it, you’ll be thrown in at the deep end of another one of Brighton’s festivals by the sea, The Great Escape.

Some of the worlds’ top acts descend on Brighton: Paulo Nutini, The Vaccines, Friendly Fires, Hauschka, Katy B -this festival is rammed.During the three days from 12-14 May there’s 300 artists playing at 30 venues and a convention of speakers from the music industry.

So it’s begun! Delegates can get discounted rooms at the hotel, although with all the after-parties going on, it could be that they don’t get in much before dawn anyway…